Means for controlling the flow of mixture to internal-combustion engines



June 15 1926. I 1,588,445

A. D. CHANDLER ,MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW 0F MIXTURE T0 INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed May 14, 1925 Jul/622L 07 ,D. film/idler Patented June '15, '1 926.

UNITED STATES 1,588,445 PATENT OFFICE.

AQUILA I). CHANDLER, OI CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF 'MIXTURE TO INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Application filed Kay 14, 1925. Serial No. 30,258.

My invention relates to improvements in means for controlling the flow of mixture to internal combustion engines.

In the art of internal combustion engines it is the general practice to control the flow of mixture to the engine cylinders by a butterfly valve disposed in the mixture passageway. As generally constructed, this butterfly valve is undesirably affected by the'suction of the engine and the mixture flow so that it is not balanced in all positions. This unbalance is a particularly disturbing factor in governor controlled engines wherein a butterfly valve is disposed in the mixture passageway and is made responsive to a speed governor for controlling the speed of the engine. The operating energy of these governors is not large, and the unbalancing pressure of the butterfly valve is often sufficient to overcome or materially affect the intended operation of the governor.

It is the fundamental object of my invention to provide controlling means of this general type which will be substantially balanced in all positions. Heretofore, in prior devices, attempts have been made to secure a balance of the butterfly valve at substantially closed position, i. e. when the motor is operating under light load or no load, but in such prior devices the objectionable unbalanced condition is present at the substantially wide open positions of the valve. My improved control means is substantially balanced in the closed and in the substantially opened positions. Thus the speed controllinggovernor can effect an even, precise movement of the valve without any irregularity of operation'or opposition from the valve in any of its positions.

Referring to the accompanying drawing in which I have illustrated a preferred em bodiment of my invention:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a controlling unit or fitting embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the same, and 4 Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the same, on a larger scale.

In its preferred form, and particularly when utilized for governor control, my improved controlling device is constructed in the form of a unit adapted for interposition between the carburetor and the intake manifold. This unit comprises a cylindrical conduit 5 having an upper bolting flange 6 adapted for fastening to the intake manifold bolting flange and having a lower boltmg flange 7 adapted for fastening to the carbureter flange. Extending from the outer sides of the conduit wall 5 are bosses 8 which are drilled at 9 for journalling the valve shaft 10 therein. One end of the shaft 10 is end of this operating arm has an aperture 13 in which is pivoted the link or other control element extending from the centrifugal governor which regulates the present device. For limiting the extent to which the control valve can be closed, corresponding to the idling condition of the motor, the arm 11 is provided with an extension 14 which is adapted to contact with an adjustable set screw 15 carried in a threaded lug 16 projecting from the side of the casting. By the adjustment of this screw 15, the set or idling position of the valve can be adjusted to meet any particular engine requirements.

Referring now to Fig. 3, it 'will be -observed that the shaft 10 has an eccentric disposal in the mixture passageway 5. The axial center line of the passageway 5 is indicated at a and the axis of the valve shaft 10 is indicated at 0 The eccentricity or offset of the shaft 10 is therefore the intervening space between 0' and .0 or the distance d. This eccentricity of the shaft 10 is one factor enabling me to secure a balanced condition of the valve, particularly in its substantially closed position.

The butterfly valve proper, which is carried by this shaft 10, is indicated at 18 and consists of a disk or plate, preferably elliptical in outline. The ma or axis, of this 12 contracting a split portion of the oper- I ating arm on the ends of the shaft. One.-

elliptical valve is of such length that the" valve is approximately closed when inclined to the position indicated in full lines. It

will, of course, be understood that by the adjustment of the outer adjusting screw 15 this substantially closed position may; be

I engine, and the high velocity of flow of the mixture set up forces in the valve which make it desirable to have the upper endof the valve of greater length than the lower end if .the balance ofthe valve is to be preserved in substantially closed positions.

In addition to this eccentric disposal of V by a'slot 21' cut through the shaft to one side of its center, and in which the valve is secured. The oilsetof the slot 21-is in such direction that when the valve is in substantially closed position, as indicated in full lines,'vthe offset is downwardly from the center of the shaft. The offset or eccentricity d of this slot should. preferably be the.

same as the offset d, although this may be varied slightly-if desired. .As a result of this relationship, when the valve is moved toopen position, .as indicated in dotted lines, the two ofi'sets coincide and swing median plane of the. valve substantially coincident withv the axial center line a of the passageway. I have found that, by thus br nging the butterfly valve into substantial co ncidence I with the axial" center of the mixture passageway, the valve remainsa balanced unit in its wide open position. :Ih1s is not, generally true invalve structures in which the valve shaft is disposed eccentrically of the mixture passageway for obtaining a longer upper length of valve 18, apparently necessary for balanced condition at substantially closed throttle. The size of the offsets d and d will generally depend upon the size of the mixture passageway, the carbureter, etc., but, as approximating the dimensions which maybe used, the ofl'sets may range from one-sixty-fourth of an inch to one-sixteenth of an inch, or even more.

I have found that the eccentric or otl'set relat1on.ofthe shaft 10 in the mixture pas sageway, whereby the upper end 18 of the throttle valve is made of greater length than the lower end 18", tends to produce a balanced condition of the valve as the throttle approaches closed position and prevents the engine suction from drawing the valve completely closed. I have also found that the eccentric or oflset relation of the valve relative to the shaft 10,'whereby the valve is swung into substantial coincidence the is in 0 en osition, tends to produce a balance con ition of the "alve in this open position.

\Vhile I'prefertha't which it moves shall be equal to the distance by which the said valve axis is offset.

from the longitudinal center line of the passage, I appreciate that'these distances need not in all instances be exactly equal to each may be somewhat unequal without materially affecting results secured,

other as they combination of a fluid passageway, a butterfly valve therein, and pivotal means for said the distance by which the valve is offset from. the axisaround with the axial center line o, when the valve valve having its axis offset from the center line of said passage wayand affording a pivotal center located closer to one end of said valve than to the other when said valve is substantially closed, said pivotal means disposingsaid valve in a plane substantially coincident with the axial center line' of said passageway when said valveis open.

2. In means for controlling the flow of mixture to internal combustion engines, the combination of a mixture passageway, a butterfly valve therein, and pivotal means for said valve eccentric with respect to said passage way and eccentric with respect to the plane of said valve whereby in closed position one side of said valve is longer than the other, and in open position said valve lies substantially on the axial center line of said mixture passageway.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a fluid passageway, a butter- ,fly valve therein, and a transverse piwit fluid passage way and having its axis offset from the central line of said passage way,

and a butterfly valve comprisingan elliptical sheet plate separate from said shaft and carried thereby, said plate being-offset from the axis of said shaft.

. In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 2dday of May, 19:25.

AQUILA D. CHANDLER. 

